Make way for the Pittsburgh Opera's Maecenas XXIV , Saturday's stunning rumble in the jungle at the Benedum Center. Named for the first Roman patron of the arts, the ball took 350 black-ties on a safari, Simba, that roared with excitement.
KA-BOOOOM thundered the drummers who led bwanas and jungle queens down the aisles to a clearing that rose like an African savannah on the grand opera stage. Huge tribal shields were projected on the proscenium arches of the stage that Bill Chisnell of designspace had brilliantly festooned with jungle grasses, hundreds of white orchids and raffia moss dripping from imaginary trees. The call of the wild was repeated in the thrilling tribal turns by the Afrika Yetu dance company.
If one looked up from The Duquesne Club's righteous feast of chilled corn and ginger soup, tournado of beef wrapped with spicy jerky and roasted cod (don't even get me started on the killer dessert), there soared opulent topiaries of roses and jungle blooms atop clusters of glass cylinders on tables lavished in leopard print.
Unfortunately, a bout with laryngitis prevented mezzo Viveca Genaux from singing. It was the first time in 24 years that the Maecenas' high notes went by the boards without a Plan B.
Triangle Tech Group's Jim Agras and Electra were singled out for their stellar support of the opera for 24 years, and their remarks brought down the house. All in, the eve raised $325,000 for one of the finest opera companies in America.
Speaking of high notes, Gary Racan and his swinging, singing studio e band played softly through dinner (which is the only way, really) and so irresistibly afterward that no one stayed seated for long.
How splendid to see Mark Weinstein and Susanne Marsee again! The PO's former managing director, who holds the same post with Placido Domingo at the Washington National Opera in D.C., beamed in with his soprano, Marsee.
In the crowd of swanks and swells were chairs Dr. John Kristofic and Bonnie , gorgeous in a tawny chiffon by Monique Lhuillier; Myron Tomb and PO board chair Michele Fabrizi , in a wildly printed Gucci gown; Nadine Bognar with daughter Cynthia and Steve Beemsterboer ; Laura and Claude Kronk ; PO interim director Joe Marasco with Carrie ; Tucky and Sydney Wolfson ; Cindy and Dr. Bill Swartz ; Marshall Katz and Wallis in a divine black-and-white Michael Kors; Natalie and Dr. Bill Hoffman ; Dawn Davies and Francois Bitz (showing pix of their twinkly twin girls!); Miryam and Robert Knutson ; Bill and Dr. Saundra Stout (see Fanflair!); Shelley and Jeff Lipton ; Clyde Jones ; Barbara Barry in an exquisitely beaded gown; Frank Sarris and Athena wearing major ice; and Mimi and Ralph Falbo .
Plus Carol and Joe Massaro ; Mary and Woody Turner ; Gloria and Joe Vales ; PO artistic director Christopher Hahn ; Dolores and Dr. John Barber ; Rose and Dr. Mike Kutsenkow ; Nachum Golan and Steve Hough ; Dr. Lisa Cibik and Bernie Kobosky ; Maryann and Dr. Howard Burnett ; Barbara and Alan Ackerman ; Beth and Bill Ivans ; Barb and Bill Sullivan ; Dr. Mark Wholey and Roseanne , in a leopard print chiffon; Gene and Ed Smith ; Samuel Bozzolla ; Colleen and David O'Brien ; David Savard ; Sherry Korczynsksi , in turquoise chiffon; Rona and John Dane ; John and Dr. Laura Pallen Tippins ; and lucky Lynn and Geof Tomb , who won the drawing for the fabulous 10-day African safari!
Hakuna Matata.
| A Matter of Fact |
A true class act, Oxford Development prez David Matter was tapped with a coupe de theatre . Tony Award-winning actor Brian Stokes Mitchell , he of "Ragtime" and "Kiss Me Kate" fame, commanded center stage at Thursday's spectacular salute to the Matter of the hour with his lovely Susan . Stokes' powerful baritone in "The Impossible Dream" rang the rafters of the Hilton ballroom, where 650 guests helped raise a record $700,000 for the Pittsburgh Public Theater .
Harris Doran , who starred in PPT's smash hit "Amadeus," made a surprise visit, and former president Bill Clinton , Matter's roommate at Georgetown U, sent a congratulatory video.
Leading the standing "O" were PPT board prez Stu Miller with Linda , and director Ted Pappas ; David Hickton ; emcee Ken Rice of KDKA-TV; Broadway composer Stephen Flaherty ; Nadine Bognar ; Laura Ellsworth ; Anne Lewis ; Jim McDonald ; Elsie and Henry Hillman ; Audrey and Tim Fisher ; Janet Sarbaugh ; Heather McBrier ; Dr. Ken Melani ; Candy and Rich DeYoung ; Ann Cahouet ; Bonnie and Tom VanKirk ; and Joan and Jerry Apt .
-- JoAnne Harrop
| Art for Life |
Art was the draw for 1,500 guests at the Carnegie Museum of Art on Monday for the 20th annual Celebrate Life, Celebrate Art auction. Every piece was generously donated by artists, gallerists, antique dealers, private collectors and cultural arts organizations for the party, which raised $220,000 for Persad Center , the counseling service for people living with HIV/AIDS.
Randy Forrester, the late and beloved co-founder (with Jim Huggins) of Persad, was remembered with a moment of noise, which would've had him roaring in approval!
Celebrating art and life were chairs P.J. Musick and Greg Mutinelli ; PC prexy David Sufrin with Suzi Neft and director Betty Hill with Kathi Boyle ; grand-prize winner Ceil Sturdevant ; best new artist Ruth Hendricks ; Scott Ludwick ; Bonnie Rack-Wildner ; Mark Crisci ; Gordon Fisher and Wes Scott ; Bob Davis ; Doug Shields ; Bill Peduto ; Mario Costanzo ; Jim McDonald and Larry Karnoff ; Tim McVay ; and David Bush .
-- JoAnne Harrop and JH
| Tastes of the Town |
Can you imagine dining at 63 restaurants all in the same evening⢠Talk about a plateful! That's what 2,200 taste-testers experienced at Pittsburgh Magazine's Best Restaurants Party -- a benefit for WQED Multimedia . Monday's dine-around featured Pittsburgh's finest eateries and the chefs who made the magic happen. So popular is the event that it moved from the ballroom to the huge concourse at the David Lawrence Convention Center to properly fete the foodies!
Four forks to Mio Kitchen & Wine Bar, named Best New Restaurant, Chef of the Year Douglass Dick from Bona Terra, Trevett Hooper of Legume, the Rising Star Chef, and Seviche, tapped for its stellar design and ambiance.
Between bites we spotted PM publisher Betsy Benson ; WQED prez George Miles and board chair Jim Abraham ; chef Chris Fennimore ; Phyllis and Jeff Cohen ; John Barsotti ; Bill Wedner ; Glenn Hawley ; Kevin Joyce ; Lilli Mosco ; Michael Bartley ; and Kristine Masta .
-- JoAnne Harrop
| Taking the Lead |
Wonder women is an apt description of the sorority of high-achievers honored Thursday at the YWCA's A Tribute to Women luncheon at the Hilton. Role models all, they have also given of their time, talents and energies to a wide range of programs that work to improve the lives of others.
Laurels to communications consultant Laura Horner ; Giant Eagle's director of government relations Jacqueline Dixon ; Pat Siger , a fund-raising consultant to nonprofits; Dr. Kathy Humphrey , vice-provost at Pitt; Joyce Bender , CEO of Bender Consulting; Zubrow Hunt Group prexy Mary Zubrow ; Meyer, Unkovic and Scott partner Beth Slagle ; and Pitt school of nursing dean Dr. Jacqueline Dunbar-Jacob .
Other standouts in the 800 cheering section included YWCA board prexy Mary Smith Peters and CEO Maggie Jensen ; emcee Peggy Finnegan of WPXI; event chair Sylvia Fields ; Sally Wiggin ; Diana Bucco ; Dr. Robert Hill ; Jada Grandy ; and Lauren Smith .
-- JoAnne Harrop and JH
